ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
India & Tajikistan agree to enhance mutual cooperation for sustainable water development
India and Tajikistan have reaffirmed their commitment to promote bilateral relations and agreed to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in sustainable water development.
Shri Nitin Gadkari,the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, currently on a two-day official visit to the central Asian republic, held wide-ranging talks with Shri Sirodjidin Muhridin, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan in Dushanbe yesterday.
The two leadersunderlined the need to give further impetus to the ongoing bilateral cooperation in various fields and agreed to enhancemutual cooperation in the area of sustainable water development.
Shri Gadkari also conveyedto the Tajikistan leader, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's commitment towards expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, and said that potential for trade in commodities like sugar and milk powder may be explored.
Shri Gadkari gave him an update on the progress of Chabahar Port which India is helping to develop in Iran and said that New Delhi would be willing to share with Tajikistan, Indian expertise in building quality infrastructure.
Shri Sirodjidin Muhridin said India was one of Tajikistan’s reliable political and strategic partners and wouldalso like to expand its economic tieswith New Delhi.
Shri Gadkari is in Dushanbe to represent India at the high level global conference on “International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development”.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 215.98 Cr
Over 4.07 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 46,389
6,422 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.71%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 1.71%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 215.98 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 4.07 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10414724
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10112587
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6906878
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18435862
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17708630
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13441086
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
40727863
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
31069455
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61830995
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
52749084
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
560997467
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
514679713
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
81649999
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203978989
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
196700030
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
43166582
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127633347
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122964430
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
44648403
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
18,98,12,948
|
|
Total
|
|
2,15,98,16,124
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 46,389. Active cases now constitute 0.1% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.71%. 5,748 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,39,41,840.
6,422 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,14,692 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 89.06 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 1.71% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 2.04%.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Bali
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Australia H.E. Mr. Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Bali today.
Both Leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of relations between the two countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the high-level interactions taking place on a regular basis between India and Australia. They reviewed the progress made in deepening cooperation across a diverse range of sectors, including defence, trade, education, clean energy and people-to-people ties. Institutional partnership in the field of education, especially in higher education, vocational education, training and capacity building was discussed in detail.
The Leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, which included their shared vision for a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific Region, climate related matters and India’s G20 Presidency.
Prime Minister looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Albanese in India at an early opportunity.
Special Service and Features
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav State Level Iconic Week celebrations begins at FCI
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week celebrations ,organized by Food Corporation of India  under the Union Department of Food and Public Distribution began today at the Food Corporation of India  office in Thiruvananthapuram. State Food Minister G R Anil inaugurated the program at 10 am today. VK Yadav, FCI General Manager  presided over the function.
State Food Minister lauded the work of the FCI and the cleanliness of the depots. VK Yadav said that FCI is creating awareness among the people about their activities. The depots are given access to public and dignitaries so that they can appreciate the functioning and efforts by its employees. VK Yadav added FCI working hand in hand with the State Food and Civil Supplies Department has helped alleviate the suffering of the people during the Covid pandemic
FCI has been celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrating 75 years of independence in all the districts of Kerala.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Export of Petroleum Products
The product-wise export details of petroleum products during 2018-19 is given below:-
|
|
Export of petroleum products
|
|
|
|
2018-19
|
|
Quantity
|
|
Value
|
|
Million Tonne
|
|
US$
|
|
₹
|
|
LPG
|
|
0.4
|
|
0.3
|
|
1976
|
|
Petrol
|
|
12.9
|
|
8.6
|
|
60419
|
|
Naphtha
|
|
7.0
|
|
4.1
|
|
28893
|
|
Aviation Turbine Fuel
|
|
7.4
|
|
4.9
|
|
34030
|
|
Kerosene
|
|
0.02
|
|
0.01
|
|
98
|
|
Diesel
|
|
27.8
|
|
17.6
|
|
123519
|
|
Light Diesel Oil
|
|
0.1
|
|
0.05
|
|
364
|
|
Lubes/Lube Oil Base Stock
|
|
0.01
|
|
0.02
|
|
106
|
|
Fuel Oil
|
|
2.2
|
|
0.9
|
|
6537
|
|
Bitumen
|
|
0.02
|
|
0.01
|
|
72
|
|
Petcoke/Carbon Black Feed Stock
|
|
1.1
|
|
0.5
|
|
3255
|
|
Others|
|
2.1
|
|
1.2
|
|
8429
|
|
Total product export
|
|
61.1
|
|
38.2
|
|
267697Other exports include VGO, Benzene, Hexane, MTO, Sulphur etc.
Domestic oil and gas producers paid a total amount of approximately ₹34,300 crore to the Government of India as Cess, Royalty and Profit petroleum during the year 2018-19. In addition, total amount of royalty paid to State Governments during 2018-19 from oil and gas production is approximately ₹13,400 crore.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply.
Special Service and Features
AIR COMMODORE RATISH KUMAR ASSUMES COMMAND OF AIR FORCE STATION TAMBARAM
Air Commodore Ratish Kumar took over the command of Air Force Station Tambaram on 22 December 2022 in an impressive ceremony conducted on the occasion at Air Force Station Tambaram, Air Commodore Vipul Singh handed over the command to him.
Air Commodore Ratish Kumar is an alumnus of National Defence Academy with vast flying experience of over 5000 hours on Sukhoi-30, Mig-21, Kiran and HPT aircrafts. He is a Category `A’ Qualified Flying Instructor. He had earlier commanded a premier Su-30MK\Squadron. The officer was serving as Commanding Officer of Flying Instructors School, Tambaram before assuming the current appointment.
For his meritorious service, the Air Officer has been commended with Vayu Sena Medal and Mention-in-Despatches.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Creating awareness among farmers for Nutri Cereals 
The Government, under the Sub Mission on National Food Security Mission - Nutri Cereals is creating awareness among farmers for Nutri Cereals  such as ragi, sorghum, bajra and small millets through demonstration and training.
Under NFSM–Nutri Cereals, incentives are provided to the farmers, through the state governments, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of seeds of newly released varieties/ hybrids, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/ resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season, organizing events / workshops, distribution of seed minikits, publicity through print and electronic media etc. The interventions such as formation of Farmer Producer Organizations  for Nutri Cereals, setting up Centers of Excellence  and seed hubs for Nutri Cereals have also been supported under NFSM.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also provides support to the States under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms” , different extension activities like Farmers’ Training, Exposure visits, Demonstrations, Kisan meals, Kisan Ghostie, farmers – Scientists – Interaction, Mobilization of Farmers Interest Groups and setting up of Farm Schools in the field of awardee / progressive farmers are implementation to promote modern agriculture technologies including Millets cultivation. Further, the States can promote Nutri Cereals  under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana , Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana  and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region .
Under All India Coordinated Research Project  on Small millets, Sorghum and Pearl millet, Indian Council of Agricultural Research  provides support to 45 collaborating Centers located in different State Agricultural Universities  and ICAR Institutes for development of new varieties / hybrids of nutri cereals .
This information was given by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
To make the country strong, we need to make our tribal communities stronger: MoS for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal
Ministry of Culture celebrated Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas in KISS Bhubaneswar
In order to make the country strong, we need to first make our tribal communities stronger, said Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal while addressing a huge gathering of 30,000 tribal students during the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas Celebration at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences  in Bhubaneswar today.
Attending the event as the Chief Guest, Shri Meghwal recalled the invaluable contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the freedom struggle of the country and thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for taking the decision to start celebrating Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas from last year.
“The contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the awakening of the tribal society is incomparable. He had made valiant efforts, fought bravely against the colonial rulers and proved that the tribal people are an integral part of our system. We need to take lessons from him and continue to empower our tribal communities so as to empower our country,” Shri Meghwal said.
Highlighting the lifestyle of the tribal people, about their connection to mother-nature, Shri Meghwal said that the tribal people have taught us to stay close to nature since the very beginning and this has now resulted in being a global mantra. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji has also initiated the Mission LiFE, which aimed at fighting environmental degradation,” he said.
He said that Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas is a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which aimed at paying rich tributes to the unsung heroes of our country. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji has initiated the plan of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav which is now entering into the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal. It is a step to pay due respect to our real heroes of the freedom struggle,” Shri Meghwal asserted.
The event today was also graced by Shri Jagannath Saraka, Minister for ST and SC Development Department, Government of Odisha. Smt Uma Nanduri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture also joined the celebration and proposed to the administration of KISS Bhubaneswar to begin an All India Tribal Sporting event.
SM/SSP
Ministry of Culture
PUNDIT ISWAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR IS A LEGENDARY EDUCATIONIST AND SOCIAL REFORMER WHO TRANSFORMED STATUS OF WOMEN IN INDIA: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL
Kolkata, September 26, 2019
Pundit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a legendary educationist and a social reformer who challenged Hindu orthodoxy, played a pivotal role in helping widows get remarried and fought for women’s education as well as ending the shameful and stigmatised practice of child marriage, said Union Minister of State  for Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel today. He inaugurated a two-day seminar on ‘Probing Social Reforms in India in the Nineteenth Century: Vidyasagar’s Legacy in the Long Run’ at The Asiatic Society today on the occasion of bicentenary of Pundit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, where he delineated his opinion on this revered Sanskrit scholar and social reformer.
The minister stated that his Ministry will lend all means of support for the betterment of this revered academic institution which began its journey 236 years ago with a new wave in the sphere of Oriental studies.
Shri Patel added that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a part of the larger social movement called Bengal Renaissance, which started with the enlightened leadership of Raja Rammohan Roy and he raised his voice against child marriage, polygamy and mistreatment of widows, to usher in a new thinking about social ignominies then prevalent in India.
The Minister also released four publications on Pundit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on the occasion.
The other dignitaries, who were present on the occasion, included Professor Isha Mahammud, President of the Society as well as the General Secretary, Dr Satyabrata Chakrabarti and Professor Arun Bandyopadhyay, Historical and Archaeological Secretary of the Society and Professor Brian A Hatcher, Tufts University, USA.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Private Investment in Maritime Infrastructure
Currently, there are 46 Public Private Partnership  Projects at an estimated investment of Rs. 36765.58 crore at the major ports. Under Sagarmala Programme, which was started in 2015, there are 123 PPP projects at an estimated investment of Rs. 2.63 lakh Cr. Out of 123 projects, 29 PPP projects with investment of Rs. 44,961 Cr. have been completed and additional 31 PPP projects worth Rs. 50,942 Cr. are currently under implementation. Remaining projects are at various stages of development.
Several measures have been introduced to attract foreign investment in Indian Maritime sector such as:
- Bidding documents like Request for Qualification , Request for Proposal  and Model Concession Agreement  have been standardized. MCA has also been time to time revised to adapt the dynamic business environment.
- Upto 100% Foreign Direct Investment  under the automatic route allowed for Port development projects.
- Income-tax incentives allowed as per section 80-IA of Income Tax Act, 1961- 100% income tax exemption was available for a period of any 10 consecutive assessment years out of fifteen years beginning from the year in which the enterprise starts the development or operation and maintenance of the infrastructure facility till 1.04.2017.
- Consequent upon the new Major Port Authority Act, 2021 coming in vogue w.e.f. November 3, 2021, new PPP Concessionaires now have the liberty to frame their own scale of rates for any/all services  they perform/provide to their users/customers.
- Various technological/digital inductions are introduced to maintain smooth functioning without human interference viz, E-invoice, E-payment, and E-DO at PCS1x.
- The formation of SAROD-Ports aims at enhancing confidence of concessionaire and promoting ease of doing business in the Maritime Sector
There are 12 Major Ports and about 200 non-major ports in the country. The 12 Major Ports are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The non-major ports including private ports are under the overall jurisdiction of the respective State Governments. Operation and maintenance of the Berths/Terminals at Major Ports are being done on Public Private Partnership  mode on case to case basis.
d) At present there is no specialized Maritime fund to support inland waterway operations and vessel financing.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
MJPS
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Ministry of Culture
The Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied: Shri G.Kishan Reddy
The Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied. Much of their aspects are sufficiently researched and analyzed. During last field season 2020-21, Archaeological Survey of India  carried out excavations at two prominent sites of Chalcolithic affiliations in Central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh. During field season 2021-22, ASI has received proposals for excavations at the sites of Chalcolithic affiliations at Eran, district Sagar and at Tewar, district Jabalpur of Madhya Pradesh.
Status of Archaeological Investigations in Central India
- Excavation at Eran during 2020-21: Eran  is situated on the left bank of the Bina  river and surrounded by it on three sides. Eran is located 75 km north-west from Sagar district headquarter. The recent excavation at this site, during 2020-21, has unearthed a variety of antiquities including a copper coin, an iron arrowhead, terracotta bead, stone beads along with a copper coins, stone celt, beads of steatite and jasper, glass, carnelian, terracotta wheel, animal figurines, miniature pots, iron objects, stone querns, pestles and a red slipped terracotta with inscription in Devnagari. The occurrence of few specimens of plain, thin grey ware is noteworthy. The use of iron was evidenced by few metallic objects at the site. This excavation at the site also revealed the remains of Chalcolithic culture with four major periods i.e. Period I: Chalcolithic , Period II: Early historic , Period II B: 2nd century BCE – 1st century CE, Period III: 1st – 6th century CE and Period IV: late medieval .
- Excavation at Tewar during 2020-21: Tewar  village is located 12 km west of Jabalpur district on Jabalpur – Bhopal highway. The ancient site of Tripuri is situated nearly 2 km south west from Tewar village. During 2020-21 ASI conducted excavation of Tewar at two locations, TWR 1 and TWR 2. This excavation did not reach the natural soil and revealed four folds of cultural sequences i.e. Kushana, Shunga, Satvahana, and Kalachuri. Antiquarian remains in this excavation include viz remains of sculptures, hopscotch, terracotta balls, Iron nails, copper coins, terracotta beads, implements of Iron and terracotta figurine, in ceramics red ware, black ware, red slipped ware with shapes of handi, bowl, spouted pot, small pot, big jar, etc., structural remains consist of brick wall and structure of sandstone columns.
This information is given by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Dr.Jitendra Singh reviews the work done by DoPT, DARPG & DoPPW in the wake of COVID-19.
Over 7000 COVID- 19 Public Grievances redressed in 12 days – Dr. Singh
More than 71,000 persons enrolled so far at DoPT’ se-learning Plat form iGOT
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singhtoday took a review meeting of DoPT, DARPG and DoPPW through Interactive Video Conferencing regarding works done by the three departments in the wake of COVID-19. Apart from reviewing the readiness of the departments to fight the Pandemic, the Minister has asked the officers and staff that work should not suffer at all during this period.
It may be recalled that Dr. Jitendra Singh had launched the National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID 19 Grievances on April 1, 2020 at the portal https://darpg.gov.in. Circulars were issued to all Central Ministries/ Departments and State Governments regarding handling of Public Grievances received in CPGRAMS on COVID-19. Daily reports on COVID-19 PG cases were submitted to the Empowered Group – 10, Prime Minister’s Office, Empowered Group of Ministers and the Minister of State for Personnel, PG and Pensions from April 1, 2020.
By April 12, 2020, Government had redressed 7000 COVID 19 Public Grievances with an average disposal time of 1.57 days. The Ministries/ Departments with maximum disposal of COVID 19 grievances are Ministry of External Affairs , Ministry of Finance  Ministry of Labor . Peak disposals of 1315 grievances/ day were achieved on April 8, 2020 and April 9, 2020.
Dr Jitendra Singh also expressed satisfaction that so far more than 71,000 persons have enrolled at the DoPT’se-learning platform  to combat COVID, which was launched last week and about 27,000 candidates completed the course. The target group is Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Hygiene Workers, Technicians, Auxiliary Nursing Midwives , Central & State Govt. Officers, Civil Defence Officials, various Police Organisations, National Cadet Corps , Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan , National Service Scheme , Indian Red Cross Society , Bharat Scouts & Guides  and other volunteers.
The platform delivers curated, role-specific content, to each learner at his place of work or home and to any device of his choice. iGOT platform is designed to population scale, and will provide training to around 1.50 crore workers and volunteers in the coming weeks. To begin with nine  courses on iGOT have been launched on topics like Basics of COVID, ICU Care and Ventilation Management, Clinical Management, Infection Prevention through PPE, Infection Control and Prevention, Quarantine and Isolation, Laboratory Sample Collection and Testing, Management of COVID 19 Cases, COVID 19 Training.
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VG/SNC
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